For Starters: Piper's Coach And New Track

February 19, 2006|By Sharon Robb Staff Writer

SUNRISE — Piper track coach Ted Beverly was beginning to think this day would never come.

The veteran track and field coach, who has mentored hundreds at the club and high school levels, hosted the Piper Track and Field All Comers Meet, the first held on the school's new eight-lane rubberized track on Saturday.

For Beverly, who served as starter, it was an emotional day.

No longer do the boys' and girls' track teams live a gypsy existence working out in parks or parking lots.

It was the first time in 30 years that Beverly has coached on a state-of-the-art synthetic track at a school where he works. He was at Dillard for 10 years and is beginning his 20th at Piper.

"I guess patience paid off," Beverly said.

"Can you imagine that -- all the top athletes I've had and last year we ran on grass. Today was an unbelievable feeling. It was a long time coming. It never bothered me as much and we always made due, but I saw a big difference when we went to away meets."

The new track stadium, with seating for 4,000 and lights, is expected to host several major meets.

"It's been a struggle, first running on an asphalt track and then having no track at all," Beverly said. "Injuries were always my biggest concerns when we had to practice other places. You never knew when you were going to step in a hole or get shin splints."

The preseason all-comers' meet featured some of the top athletes from high schools in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade, including two-time All-American Jackie Areson of Delray Beach Atlantic, voted Outstanding Girl Performer of Meet and Makail Ebanks of Hallandale, chosen Outstanding Boy Performer.

Areson, headed to Tennessee next fall, won the 1,500 meters in 4 minutes, 40.54 seconds and the 3,000 in 10:12.19 running with the boys' field.